Belinda Stronach returning to business world

[ernie]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

You make it sound like there there wasn't over a year between when the leadership convention happened, and when she crossed. (leadership convension - March 20, 2004. Crossed floor - May 17, 2005). She just didn't get along with the party leader. Maybe that's what is happening here (again). Perhaps if Harper asked nicely, she would cross back

Its not like she ran for election for one party then, without even sitting a single day as a member, switched parties in exchange for a cabinet post.

A year is far from a long time in a party that is just getting it's platform in order and when parliament isn't even in session for most of that year. Her crossing was purely for political and personal gain it had NOTHING to do with party platforms etc. That much is pretty much obvious now IMO.

[ernie]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

Call me a cynic, but I just don't see it as particularly unusual that a politician would have a thirst for power. You can't tell me Stephen Harper doesn't have a pretty strong desire for power. He didn't get there by accident (and, ironically enough, had a personal clash with a party leader on the way up).

All this talk about her rich dad and how she never did anything in her life -- it sounds like jealousy. And how do we know what she actually did or didn't do for that company?

I wonder if this all happened exactly the same but the MPs name was Bill Stronach would it get such a reaction. I doubt it. I know nobody would be talking about what a slut he is if he had had a couple high profile girlfriends over the last three years. The color of his hair wouldn't make it into the discussion either, I'm sure of it.

Has nothing to do with her being female or her family ties. It has to do with her character and motivations in politics which with this move are pretty darn clear.

[RedHot25]

Originally Posted by ernie

Has nothing to do with her being female or her family ties. It has to do with her character and motivations in politics which with this move are pretty darn clear.

This guy must have the same character then?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Emerson

Emerson has been the Member of Parliament for the riding of Vancouver Kingsway in British Columbia since 2004. He was first elected as a LiberalMinister of Industry under Prime Minister Paul Martin. He was re-elected in the 2006 federal election as a Liberal. On February 6, 2006, Emerson accepted an offer to join the Conservative Government as Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics. He was the first Canadian MP to cross the floor after being officially elected, but before being officially sworn in.

Emerson is rumoured to be considering running for the Conservatives in the neighbouring riding of Vancouver Quadra, where he lives and where the incumbent Liberal Member of Parliament Stephen Owen is retiring, in the next federal election. He had been considered unlikely to be able to win reelection in his current riding due to lingering public anger over his change of party affiliation.

[calculoso]

Originally Posted by RedHot25

That's what separates her from Khan, David Emerson, .....and any others?

In a way, yes.

Khan went into politics and held various positions, proving his worth, before being given an advisory role and eventually switching parties.

Emerson held various positions and proved his worth with his work, before switching parties.

Stronach has done very little if anything in politics, other than looking "good".

One can argue whether switching parties should be allowed or not, but it cannot be argued what Khan and Emerson have done in the past to get where they were. Stronach? All hype.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

Call me a cynic, but I just don't see it as particularly unusual that a politician would have a thirst for power. You can't tell me Stephen Harper doesn't have a pretty strong desire for power. He didn't get there by accident (and, ironically enough, had a personal clash with a party leader on the way up).

All this talk about her rich dad and how she never did anything in her life -- it sounds like jealousy. And how do we know what she actually did or didn't do for that company?

I wonder if this all happened exactly the same but the MPs name was Bill Stronach would it get such a reaction. I doubt it. I know nobody would be talking about what a slut he is if he had had a couple high profile girlfriends over the last three years. The color of his hair wouldn't make it into the discussion either, I'm sure of it.

I'm going to disagree with you on a few points, but what else is new between us eh Rouge.

Comparing Stronach's thirst for power to Harpers drive for power is more then valid, her methods leave much to be desired.

While Harper did an amazing job in re-uniting the right, bringing radical elements of his party under control, and running a strong election campaign is commendable. Stronach walked into her limelight based on her sex, and her looks, did little to nothing, declared her leadership intent even though she had no political experience, bombed as a leadership candidate, pouted about it. Then moved across the floor abandoning her political pricinples in exchange for a comfy seat in the government at the time. She them proceeded to do nothing with that position, but declared her interest in the Liberal leadership position. She managed to burn bridges in not one but two parties, and pushed herself to the limelight as often as she could until she was slapped down by her own Liberal Party.

Her father made Magna what it is today, Belinda ran it during the hoter vehicle economy, but it will be interesting to see what happens now that the Car industry is suffering. But Magna was a success story even before she took it over.

And on your last point, the majority of political personal scandal's are based around male politician's performing sexual indiscretions or cheating on thier wives, so while its unique that Belinda did it, and got busted with the Kebler Elf, the attention to her pllight is hardly unusual. A married man in a high profile position might not be called a slut per see, but there are plently of other terms and a sure destruction of thier political career in store for them. Bill Clinton was run through the mud for cheating with his wife, as was Gary Hart. Trudeau at the time was taking to task for his little slip ups as well. So I don't see a double standard here.

[mykalberta]

Even though I would love to dogpile on this nappy haired skank (Imus) I dont blame anyone for quitting politics, it takes a special type of person to dedicate themself to public life and preform the job well and if you dont think you can, then they shouldnt be in the life.

MYK

[HOZ]

AM I the only one disappointed? Now I have to put away all my Belinderella for Liberal Leader sign.


DOH!

[Resolute 14]

We get the point RedHot. You can stop attempting to derail this topic at any time now.

[RedHot25]

Originally Posted by Snakeeye

We get the point RedHot. You can stop attempting to derail this topic at any time now.

Will there be a similar thread then when David Emerson leaves sometime in the future (whenever that may be) ?

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

I wonder if this all happened exactly the same but the MPs name was Bill Stronach would it get such a reaction. I doubt it. I know nobody would be talking about what a slut he is if he had had a couple high profile girlfriends over the last three years. The color of his hair wouldn't make it into the discussion either, I'm sure of it.

It works both ways though. If Belinda was Bill, they'd never get enough press to be able to run for the leadership. Heck, Bill might not have won his seat since he wouldn't be in the national spotlight.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I'm going to disagree with you on a few points, but what else is new between us eh Rouge.

Comparing Stronach's thirst for power to Harpers drive for power is more then valid, her methods leave much to be desired.

While Harper did an amazing job in re-uniting the right, bringing radical elements of his party under control, and running a strong election campaign is commendable. Stronach walked into her limelight based on her sex, and her looks, did little to nothing, declared her leadership intent even though she had no political experience, bombed as a leadership candidate, pouted about it. Then moved across the floor abandoning her political pricinples in exchange for a comfy seat in the government at the time. She them proceeded to do nothing with that position, but declared her interest in the Liberal leadership position. She managed to burn bridges in not one but two parties, and pushed herself to the limelight as often as she could until she was slapped down by her own Liberal Party.

Her father made Magna what it is today, Belinda ran it during the hoter vehicle economy, but it will be interesting to see what happens now that the Car industry is suffering. But Magna was a success story even before she took it over.

And on your last point, the majority of political personal scandal's are based around male politician's performing sexual indiscretions or cheating on thier wives, so while its unique that Belinda did it, and got busted with the Kebler Elf, the attention to her pllight is hardly unusual. A married man in a high profile position might not be called a slut per see, but there are plently of other terms and a sure destruction of thier political career in store for them. Bill Clinton was run through the mud for cheating with his wife, as was Gary Hart. Trudeau at the time was taking to task for his little slip ups as well. So I don't see a double standard here.

Yeah her methods leave a little to be desired, but I just don't see what she's done as "special" or worthy of so much attention and vitriol. I've gotten the impression that her quest for power in and of itself is the bad part. The whole "bah, all she wants is power, the slut" kind of sentiment. You could say that about at least 50% of them I'm sure. It's not a good quality, but she certainly doesn't have a monopoly on it.

As for the personal scandals, she's a single woman who has been linked to two different guys (well 3, if you include Clinton) in the last 3 years. That's not exactly like walking around with a mattress on your back and a sign that reads "curb service"*, but in this very thread we've had someone suggest that she is leaving Ottawa because she's slept with every guy in town. I know it was a joke, but it's one we've heard a lot. Even other politicians have isinuated that she's some kind of whore.

It just seems particularly nasty for this particular politician and I think the sex, wealth and looks of her piss people off.


*thank you Abraham Lincoln for that line

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

It just seems particularly nasty for this particular politician and I think the sex, wealth and looks of her piss people off.

Is it the sex, wealth and looks of her that pisses people off, or that she tried to use her sex, wealth and looks to get ahead? While there are always wunderkinds, most MPs worked their way up the ladder to get into positions that Belinda had thrown at her. And to be fair, both the Conservatives and Liberals were more than willing to take advantage of her sex and looks.

[Clarkey]

She's Canada's Paris Hilton.

A 3 dressed up as a 9 (7), attention seeker and not too much going on upstairs.

[Hack&Lube]

She also dumped Peter McKay by crossing the floor lol. There's a rare break-up manuever.

[longsuffering]

Wow! Its stunning to see how many guys here feel threatened by a woman with power and money. And there's no shortage of double standards applied to this female politician as opposed to men who have acted the same way.

Some of you guys should seek professional help to deal with your issues.

[calculoso]

Originally Posted by longsuffering

Wow! Its stunning to see how many guys here feel threatened by a woman with power and money. And there's no shortage of double standards applied to this female politician as opposed to men who have acted the same way.

Some of you guys should seek professional help to deal with your issues.

Wow! It's stunning to see longsuffering come in here and make absolute judgements about anyone and everyone who posts here.. oh.. wait.. no it isn't.

"No shortage of double standards" you say? Okay.. Name some that went from being very high in Private Enterprise, went to politics and tried for leadership without doing anything, didn't get success in one party so went to another party, didn't get success there so went back to Private Enterprise....

Good luck.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by calculoso

Wow! It's stunning to see longsuffering come in here and make absolute judgements about anyone and everyone who posts here.. oh.. wait.. no it isn't.

"No shortage of double standards" you say? Okay.. Name some that went from being very high in Private Enterprise, went to politics and tried for leadership without doing anything, didn't get success in one party so went to another party, didn't get success there so went back to Private Enterprise....

Good luck.

Wouldn't the double standards referred to be regarding sexism?

Look at some of the quotes in this thread...

And do a little more plugging with Domi without it becoming national news.

Maybe she completed her goal of sleeping with everyone in Ottawa... I'm just saying...

Maybe she just wants to keep a shorter leash on the garden gnome she calls a boyfriend.

Stronach has done very little if anything in politics, other than looking "good".

Even though I would love to dogpile on this nappy haired skank (Imus)

She's Canada's Paris Hilton.

A 3 dressed up as a 9 (7), attention seeker and not too much going on upstairs.

I don't recall seeing any similar remarks in reference to any other MPs.

If you feel she is just looking for an easy job, that's your perogative but with all the money she has I'm sure there are lots of other ways she could have spent her time.

[transplant99]

I don't recall seeing any similar remarks in reference to any other MPs.

Wouldn't that be because...you know...the thread is about HER?


How is it sexist exactly....because she is referred to in the female venacular?

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Wouldn't that be because...you know...the thread is about HER?


How is it sexist exactly....because she is referred to in the female venacular?

What was the last time you called a woman a "skank"?

Show me any of the polical threads where a male has received similar descriptions.

[RedHot25]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Wouldn't that be because...you know...the thread is about HER?

How is it sexist exactly....because she is referred to in the female venacular?

Belinda is not perfect by any means, nor am I defending her. But look at some of the comments posted about her that have been made in this thread (Bobble's post summarizes them). Are those comments really needed?